Johnston County Accident Injures 14

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HARNETT COUNTY — A traffic accident Sunday morning in Johnston County has left 14 people injured.

The accident happened at the intersection of Routes 1581 and 1551 at the Johnston County--Harnett County line, when 18 year-old Amber Adams of Angier turned left in front of a pickup truck driven by 47 year-old Pedro Aguero of
Benson.

Most of the victims were in the back of the truck, where there are no seatbelts, which is legal: North Carolina's strict seatbelt law applies only to people in the front of pickup trucks.

Thirty six-year old Christina Aguero and a 6-year old boy were flown to Duke University Medical Center, both also with critical injuries. The other 8 passengers were less seriously hurt.

It is not clear if the passengers in the cab wore a seatbelt, but those in the back did not have the option.

"Of course, there's not a seatbelt [in the back of pickup trucks]," State Trooper R.A. Capps, Jr. says, "and it's not against the law to ride in the back of a pickup truck."

"Common sense should prevail," says Sergeant Jeff Winstead of the Highway Patrol. "It's not a safe place for people to be. It's not designed for people. The least little problem and people go flying out of the truck."

Credits

Reporter

Chip Muller

Photographer

Gil Hollingsworth

Web Editor

Julian King

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